As we step into 2025, there’s a palpable sense of possibility in the air. Years of global challenges have led us to a critical juncture of hope and determination. Although there are still pockets of conflict everywhere, hope is closer than we think.
For 20 years, I’ve researched and written on human resilience; however, this year is unlike any other. Perhaps the collective exhaustion from the constant hustle culture is finally giving way to a more balanced approach to progress.
The key to making 2025 truly transformative lies in our ability to set meaningful goals while acknowledging our human need for rest. Experts agree that balancing work and rest is key to lasting success.
This year, I’m observing a shift in how we approach personal and professional development. Gone are the days when burnout was a badge of honour. Instead, industry leaders are adopting what I call the “rest revolution”—strategic pauses designed to boost success. I am doing the same: working hard but resting more.
As we craft our aspirations for 2025, let’s not forget our shared yearning for global peace. Our commitments to understanding and compassion matter more than ever in a world still grappling with conflicts.
2025 isn’t another year on the calendar. It’s our collective opportunity to rewrite the narrative of success – one that values progress and peace in equal measure. The fresh start we seek isn’t just about personal achievements; it’s about contributing to a world where rest is respected and peace is possible.
May 2025 be the year you realise your goals but make more friends and meaningful contributions to your corner of the world. Happy New Year!
It’s already 3rd of January, this year has started its journey. Like the sound of train tracks approaching a station, we’re truly and well on our way, exploring the unknown.
The unknown stretches far into the horizons
I don’t make New Year’s resolutions, rather I live one day at a time, committing everything into the Hands of my creator, God Almighty, who gives me wisdom and strength. To anyone reading this who doesn’t believe in God, you can still make your days worthwhile by being a better ‘you’. ‘Every Little Helps’, says the Tesco slogan, and I agree. A little here, and a little there, we can make positive changes in our world.
I wish you love, peace, and blessings☺️
I wish all my friends around the world, a happy and prosperous year. Be kind to yourself and others.
Have you ever wondered how some scents can transport you to events in the past? When I peel an orange, I’m reminded of my childhood when my dad would sip a drink under a tree while I played in the backyard. Oranges always trigger these memories for me. Perfumes are a passion of mine as well, and I often find myself attached to a particular fragrance because of the memories it invokes. Certain home fragrances take me back to happy memories, and I keep selecting them.
Our senses can remarkably transport us back in time, evoking vivid memories and emotions. While sight and sound often take centre stage, the power of scent can truly captivate us, unlocking forgotten moments. The aroma of freshly baked bread, the scent of summer rain, or the perfume worn by a loved one—these fragrances hold the key to a sensory time machine, enabling us to relive past scents.
Scents have a unique ability to trigger memories with remarkable precision. I love the aroma of a freshly cut grass (some people may find that strange). It transports me to carefree childhood days spent playing outdoors and chasing my brothers through the countryside. The whiff of a particular dish might conjure images of cherished family gatherings, or spending time with a loved one. Scents have a profound impact on our lives, subtly influencing our moods, triggering nostalgia, and imprinting themselves onto our memories. The fragrance of a particular place, era, or occasion becomes etched in our minds. Exploring the scents of the past is akin to peeling back the layers of history and embarking on a fragrant adventure.
Scents hold a unique and captivating power over our memories. Effortlessly, they take us back to cherished memories, connecting us with our personal histories and the people who influenced them. Whether natural or deliberately crafted, scents enrich our lives and deepen our understanding of the intricacies of human memory.
Are there any scents that have a particular effect on you? I’m eager to read your comments about them below. May we all have a delightful day and a wonderful summer, and always spread love and happiness wherever we may be.
Today marks the 18th anniversary of the London transport bombings, which caused the death of 52 people and numerous injuries. Here in Europe, we’re still watching the carnage unleashed on Ukrainians when Russia invaded their country, killing thousands of innocent people and inflicting untold suffering on both sides. I’ve lost count of the mass shootings in the US this year. Here in the UK, we’re grappling with knife crimes, young lives snuffed out at regular intervals. Then today, I read about an Ohia man, Chad Doerman, who executed his three young sons, allowing the mother to witness the heinous crime. He would probably claim insanity, which brings me to the complexity inherent in the human heart.
The human heart, both anatomically and metaphorically, has long captivated our imaginations. The heart is a fascinating organ that sustains life and influences emotions and actions. While the heart is often associated with kindness, love, and compassion, it can also exhibit darker aspects of human nature. Today I want to explore the duality of the human heart, highlighting its potential for both wickedness and kindness.
The Wickedness of the Human Heart:
Human history is replete with tales of cruelty, violence, and malevolence that originate from the depths of the human heart. Suffering and pain can be caused by actions stemming from evil thoughts in the heart. The seeds of wickedness can grow within and sprout as greed, envy, hatred, or revenge. The book of Jeremiah from the Bible echoes this message.
“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? But I, the LORD, search all and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.”
Jeremiah 17: 9-10
Selfishness and wrong beliefs have caused terrible acts throughout history. Some of the darkest moments in history have been centred around the human heart, including wars, genocides, violence, and oppression. It’s a reminder of the capacity for evil that lives within us.
The Kindness of the Human Heart:
However, amidst the wickedness, the human heart is also capable of immense kindness and compassion. It’s the source of love, empathy, and altruism that can lead to acts of selflessness and generosity. The heart encourages kindness and support towards others.
Comforting friends, helping strangers, and donating to charity are simple acts of kindness. It’s also evident in the tireless work of individuals and organisations that strive to address social injustices, fight for equality, and improve the well-being of others. The human heart, when guided by empathy and compassion, has the potential to create positive change and heal wounds.
The Balance of the Human Heart:
Human hearts contain a mix of both wickedness and kindness. Everyone has the potential for both good and evil, and their choices shape their path. Our hearts is not a static entity. It can evolve and transform over time, influenced by experiences, education, and personal growth. Acknowledging both wickedness and kindness within ourselves helps us understand our humanity and strive to cultivate a kind heart while rejecting wickedness.
The human heart is a complex entity that harbours both wickedness and kindness. It holds the capacity for great evil and the power to generate immense love and compassion. Reflecting on our actions helps us understand this paradox. By doing so, we can work towards creating a world that celebrates the inherent goodness within us and endeavours to minimise the wickedness that can sometimes arise.
The paradox of the human heart reminds us that our emotional experiences are complex, nuanced, and multifaceted. It encapsulates the simultaneous capacity for immense strength and vulnerability, guiding us to navigate the depths of our emotions with self-awareness and compassion. By embracing this paradox, we can achieve a more profound understanding of ourselves and others, resulting in a richer, more fulfilling human experience.
In our corners of the world, let’s make our world a better place!
In a world where silence can be deafening and noise overwhelming, we often underestimate the immense power of the right words. Words possess a profound ability to shape realities, ignite emotions, and create lasting imprints on the tapestry of our lives. With a single word, we can bridge the gap between souls, uniting hearts that were once strangers. We can kindle the flame of inspiration, awakening dormant dreams and pushing the boundaries of what is believed to be possible. A word of encouragement can breathe life into weary spirits, nurturing resilience and instilling the strength to persevere.
Yet, sometimes, words can be wielded as weapons, inflicting wounds that cut deeper than any physical pain. They can tear down the strongest foundations, shattering the delicate harmony of relationships and leaving lasting scars on vulnerable hearts. The damage inflicted by a thoughtless comment can reverberate for years, eroding confidence and casting shadows upon once vibrant souls. We can see plenty of evidence around. Just check social media, and the hatred is staggering!
Words can heal, uplift, build bridges, and tear them down. The right words can unite, divide, inspire, discourage, and empower. The responsibility lies with us, the custodians of language, to choose our words with care and intention, for they have the potential to leave indelible imprints on the lives of others.
Let’s harness the power of words to create worlds of compassion, empathy, and understanding. Let’s paint portraits of hope using vibrant colours of encouragement and affirmation. Let’s craft narratives that celebrate diversity, challenge injustice, and elevate the voices of the marginalised. In the symphony of human existence, may our words be the harmonious notes that resonate with love, empathy, and unity.
In the end, it’s through words that we connect, express, and shape the very essence of our humanity. Let’s never underestimate the power we hold within our tongues and pens. May we choose our words wisely, for they have the potential to transform lives and leave an enduring legacy in the tapestry of our collective existence. The Bible says in Proverbs 18:21, “a gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.”
So let us embrace the beauty of kind words, like a field of blossoming flowers, and spread their gentle essence wherever we go. May we sow seeds of kindness through our words and make the world a more beautiful place.
They argue from sunrise to sunset, throwing blood on the ground wet with tears of babes. They haggle senselessly, putting a price on peace and stoning themselves with hatred. They pummeled houses with tanks of metal and started a duel with the mountains. They grind soft bones into powder, using it to dress their home. They are the peace hagglers.
They are for peace, they say, yet their guns continue to sing. I laugh without showing my teeth. They fail to see my beauty. They refuse to acknowledge my work. Instead, they splatter evil all over the world. I weep for my clouds; I cry for my mountains.
My hills groaned with displeasure as my leaves danced with agitation. When will sons see their foolishness and embrace joy? Until I steal the wind? Or make my rivers dry? When will they realise the price of peace is cheap? While they massage their ego with foetuses and abort the dreams of teenagers. My silence is at an end. I open my arms and swallow them whole.
They haggle for the price of peace when they only need to love.
Photo credit: Laurent, Flickr
They haggle for the price of peace when they only need to love.
SS David
I’m late to the party, it’s the 2nd of February 2023 already, and I hope this year has started on a positive note for everyone. Every day is a chance to start anew and begin again. The poem above (can I call it that?) decries the state of our world. Putin of Russia is hellbent on starting World War 3, and police officers in the United States still kill unarmed and innocent men(mostly black). Kindness is so scarce now that even in our Royal Family, it’s one scandal after another. People are quick to judge and blame everyone but themselves.
Love is the antidote to all the madness and craziness in our world, but why is it so difficult to love? This question keeps me awake at night, and I believe I’m not alone. I know kindness still exists, and decency is still around, but all I see sometimes is debauchery and sexual immorality on our screens. People need to remember what it means not to cheat. Our politicians are only interested in themselves. People can die for years in their homes, and nobody cares.
That’s the reason selfless love is what we need to make our world a safer, kinder place to live.
I choose love over hate and am confident I’m not alone.
May we find it in our hearts to love this year, and then we will truly live.
Love bought us freedom from eternal damnation, and the supernatural is as real as the next person to you. Although it’s difficult for some people to comprehend that there is life after death. I believe there is life after we pass away from this realm simply because of Christ’s Resurrection from the dead.
If I were to count the times I have been saved from physical harm, I would have to write a 200,000 word memoir to recount my experiences, and it would not be enough. Christ’s resurrection shows that there is still hope, not only in heaven but in this world too. I am alive and renewed by the power in the blood of Jesus Christ and the miracle of His resurrection.
Heaven is real
I have experienced the supernatural power of God several times, and as a Christian, it’s with great pride that I declare my hope in the future; this life is certainly not the end, and humanity will be saved.
If anyone is reading this and you’re depressed, please don’t be, whatever you’re going through will pass if you put your faith in God. If disease has ravaged your body, there is hope and healing for you but you need to claim it through faith and prayers to God.
We all know that life is very complex but we have a complete God who sacrificed His only son for our redemption. There is hope for you, just believe in God, I did, and He changed my story.😄✨
Happy Easter to all my friends. Much love to you, always!❤️☺️🌟🌸
No matter how dark the moment, love and hope are always possible
George Chakiris
As 2021 draws to a close, it has been another extraordinary and challenging year—a replica of 2020. I have taken stock of my life, and I am grateful and blessed to be alive, surrounded by love. Many people aren’t so lucky, and that’s not lost on me.
Our world has changed in more ways than one. We are still battling a pandemic that has taken over millions of lives; I have lost count of the dead. Yet, our world finds a way to renew. When a new day dawn, we repeat living all over again. People fall in love; they fight, bicker, and save lives. People have just been, well, human.
I love the peeping clouds!
However, I am determined to live my life as part of a positive movement of change. I want to make a difference and foster love rather than hatred, encouraging generations of people who are determined to preserve life, not destroy it.
We will open the book. Its pages are blank. we are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day
Edith lovejoy pierce
I will not make a new year resolution. Instead, I want to put a smile a people’s faces. We all need to laugh more and enjoy every moment of our lives. Why? Because our time on this part of heaven is so short.
Happy New Year to all my friends and everyone reading this. May God bless and keep you all!
It is packed with unseen footage of my new documentary ‘Chasing Humans’, I am also using the website for one of my Master’s degree course. I would be publishing new articles on it today and every fortnight. I would also appreciate any comment and discussion on the blog.*
Thank you, guys! 🙂
Artist John Seymour Lucas 1849-1923. Dated 1885
The world is still reeling from the effects of Coronavirus, here in the UK, we have the second-highest number of deaths in the world. It’s nothing to be proud of, it is heart-wrenching. I know a few people who have been affected by the passing of a loved one, believe me, it is not a good place to be.
Life is beautiful and challenging at the same time. When my dad passed away, I thought the world has come to an end, and when my family and friends consoled me with the fact that, time is a great healer, I didn’t believe them.
Is time really a healer? How do we tell the thousands of people who have lost loved ones that time heals? In my experience, time doesn’t stop the pain, even time cannot replace a loved one. Time can only give you the space to grieve and come to terms with their passing.
I think of my dad every day, just like that painting of the artist John Seymour Lucas, we can never replace time lost. It’s gone forever. However, we can cherish the memories, and hold them dear to our hearts.
As I was rummaging through the cellar today and found this precious painting of the artist Seymour Lucas, so we can check through our memories and find treasures of loved ones, who have been locked safely away bursting forth in our hearts. We can recapture times of joy, of laughter permeating through the fog of sadness, shining gloriously through the tears and sorrow.
TIME doesn’t heal, it helps us in our moment of weakness, to reclaim everything we hold dear.
Paragon Of Beauty. Can You See Beyond Those Deep Lines Of Experience?
( Photo credit: Flickr)
It’s sometimes funny the way we hold on to things, and I mean material things as if we are going to live forever. It’s an open secret that someday, we will call it a day on this part of heaven. We may try to change the subject or try to push it to the deep recess of our minds but our times here in this part of heaven is limited.
That’s just the basic truth.
The woman in the picture is beautiful, but she is aging, and afterward, she would become one with the earth. Studying her face, she seems to know who she is, and she also appears to be living a good life.
What about you? What do you stand for? What are your beliefs? Are you an ‘I’ person or a ‘We’ kind of person? (I want you to ponder on that and give me an answer in the comment section below).
I love taking good care of my body, and since finding out several of my physical limitations, it has not ceased to amaze me how fragile we are. I am now indulging myself in things that are really important and soul-satisfying.
I love smelling flowers, my house is littered with pots of flowers. I appreciate water, I watch mesmerised as it flows through my fingers. I love the sun, the ability to walk, run, and play is just beautiful. I appreciate that now.
Since our time is short, isn’t it foolhardy to fight or keep malice? War is a gory affair. Humanity has pillaged and wasted blood throughout the millennia. I watched the news with slight irritation as grown men are throwing insults at one another. They are actually playing with war, and it’s not pretty.
I urge you all to enjoy every minute of your time, even if we all live till hundred, one day, time will be up.
So let’s stand for all that is good, excellent, and kind.
S. S. David 